Iowa State Community Mourns Closure of LGBTQIA+ Center

Students and community members at Iowa State University held a symbolic funeral for the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, which is set to close due to legislation banning state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Approximately 50 attendees gathered, mourning the loss of a space that has served as a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students since 1992. The closure is a direct result of Senate File 2435, which restricts the promotion of certain social justice concepts at public universities. Protesters expressed their heartbreak and frustration, emphasizing that despite the physical space remaining, its essence and mission have been fundamentally altered. Speakers at the event highlighted the Center's impact on their lives and urged continued community activism for LGBTQ+ rights. The funeral symbolizes a broader struggle against legislative actions perceived as harmful to marginalized groups in the state.